Blue Container Project

'Blue Container on the New Silk Road' will be a political, cultural and economic link between East and West, a moving platform where cross-cultural connections can be created and developed.

Our Mission

'Blue Container on the New Silk Road' will be a political, cultural and economic link between East and West, promoting exchange and cooperation between the New Silk Road nations in accordance with the core concepts of the Belt and Road Initiative. Using the railway lines linking Europe and Asia as a route, and blue shipping containers as a vehicle, we will organise cultural and economic exchange activities in countries and regions along the route of the New Silk Road. International artists and academics will be invited aboard the Blue Container Train to create work in specially-designed container studios, and to take part in exhibitions and events wherever the train stops in China, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria or Germany. We will also organise corresponding economic and enterprise exchange activities in these regions, to showcase the scientific and economic achievements of the New Silk Road nations and explore prospects for sustainable development. Blue Container aims to be a moving platform where cross-cultural connections can be created and developed.

Our Values

Understanding Blue Container will carry forward the 'Silk Road Spirit' of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusivity that is our shared heritage, opening new routes towards mutual understanding and identification between people, and laying a solid foundation on which strong and lasting multi-lateral ties can be built.

Cooperation Joint discussions lead to joint projects; shared resources result in shared benefits. The city of Duisburg in North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting Blue Container by providing a location for long-term use, and many institutions and organisations in the New Silk Road nations have expressed their intention to participate in the project.

OriginalityBlue Container's unique form and richly creative content will attract attention and draw people together, first in Duisburg and then in other cities along the New Silk Road. People will bring their cultural heritage, artistic talent, ideas, skills and resources, contributing to cultural exchange and communication on many levels. As the project is mobile and fluid by design, its influence will radiate through the New Silk Road regions.

Sustainability Blue Container events will have a clearly-defined theme and consistent format, but the project is not restricted by space or time. Our plan is for sustained, cumulative engagement with our partners in the New Silk Road regions. As the Belt and Road Initiative progresses, we expect to see a steady increase of participation in the project.

OpportunityIn parallel with cultural and educational exchange projects, Blue Container will organise and promote economic and trade activities, opening windows of opportunity for enterprises and industries in the New Silk Road regions to communicate, cooperate, and enjoy the mutual benefits of joint progress.